Who better to have on the hill as the Rays try to win their 10th consecutive home series that Kid K? Scotty Kazmir has been absolutely brilliant this season, and could be on the way to exceeding his career-high win total despite missing the first month of the season. Talk about earning that extension.
Today could be big for another reason, as the Rays can move into first place in the AL East if they pick up a win and the Red Sox lose to Cincinnati again. I still can’t get over the fact that it’s now 75 games into the season and we’re still talking about that!
What to watch for: Brandon Backe has been allowing home runs like they are going out of style, and with the kind of firepower the Rays can throw out there, we could be looking at the classic formula for a big-time rout. After all the close games lately, I’d like to see a nice 11-2 win.
Scouting Report on today’s starters from MLB.com:
Scott Kazmir - The Rays’ ace did not factor into the decision on Tuesday night for the first time this year. Kazmir was his typical dominating self, fanning seven Cubs and not allowing Chicago a hit until the fifth inning. Unfortunately, his season-high four walks drove the pitch count up quickly, and he was yanked after loading the bases with two outs in the fifth inning. It was the shortest appearance for Kazmir since May 4, his first start off the disabled list (left elbow strain). The Texas native will be facing the Astros for the first time in his career.
Brandon Backe – Backe had one of his better outings of the year in his last start against the Orioles, but took a no-decision when the bullpen blew the lead late in the game. Backe yielded three runs over 5 2/3 innings, including a two-run homer to Aubrey Huff. The right-hander will face his former team, the Rays, for the first time since he was traded from Tampa Bay to Houston in December 2003.
Check out the Rays’ career numbers against Brandon Backe.
View the game preview from Baseball Reference.
| TAMPA BAY RAYS |
HOUSTON ASTROS |
| LINEUP 1 | LINEUP 1 |
| LINEUP 2 | LINEUP 2 |
| LINEUP 3 | LINEUP 3 |
| LINEUP 4 | LINEUP 4 |
| LINEUP 5 | LINEUP 5 |
| LINEUP 6 | LINEUP 6 |
| LINEUP 7 | LINEUP 7 |
| LINEUP 8 | LINEUP 8 |
| LINEUP 9 | LINEUP 9 |
Be sure to join us in the chat room for some good Rays talk during the game!!!
Tags: Astros
